DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton senior Colleen Williams was selected to play for U23 United States Women’s Soccer National Team in its upcoming trip to La Manga, Spain. The squad will be there from Feb. 22 until March 5 and will take on Norway on Feb. 28, Sweden on March 2, and England on March 4.

“This is such a huge honor being selected to play for the U.S.,” said Williams. “I am representing the United States. It is a bit overwhelming but what more could I ask for? It is just great to represent my country.”

The U23 squad opens its 2013 campaign with a four-team international tournament.The roster features eight players from the U.S. team that won the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan.

“I am very lucky to be able to travel to play soccer,” said Williams. “I have been able to travel all around my country to some really cool places, places I normally wouldn’t have been able to visit, but I can say I have, all because of soccer. And now I get to travel internationally because of soccer. It is just an honor.”

Williams is a three-time NSCAA All-American and a two-time Hermann Trophy candidate, as well as a two-time Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year. Her senior season she racked up 17 goals and 14 assists, was first in the NCAA in assists per game (.7) and third in points per game (2.4). She led the Atlantic 10 in scoring for a third consecutive season, plus led the conference in seven other offensive categories, including shots, goals, assists and points.

“As a player she was record setting,” said Dayton’s head women’s soccer coach Mike Tucker. “Her success was extraordinary. She had a knack for scoring goals, setting people up, and putting a team on their heels. It’s not often a player like that comes around and I think we will appreciate it even more as next year comes around.”

Williams was recently drafted 26th overall by the Washington Spirit in the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft.

She was previously invited to the U23 National Team domestic training camp in Carson, Calif. at the Home Depot Center from May 13-20, 2012.

“This is her first international trip and I am not sure what role they want for her,” said Tucker. “I know Colleen, though, and if given the chance to play she will bring out what she brought while at UD. She is not scared of anything and will compete.”

Williams holds UD records for career goals (58), career assists (50) and points (166) and for single-season assists (15 in 2011). She is just the 20th player in NCAA women's soccer history to have at least 50 goals and 50 assists.

“This is great not only for her but for our program and getting our name out there,” said Tucker. “It goods to show future players they can achieve this while at Dayton but also to former players who can say they have been a part of this program.”